Published: August 23, 2009 08:28 am      

Area seniors enjoy Friday night dances

Every Friday night, except during football season, Aaron Bates of Mooreland can be found dancing at the Woodward Senior Citizens Center.

He’s been a football referee for 34 years, but finds dancing at the western events at the Senior Center provide plenty of exercise in the off season.

“I slow dance, swing, two-step,” he said. “I dance with many partners. My mother comes too. She’s 84 years old and dances. She’s from Buffalo.”

According to Paula Jackson, a different live western band provides music for the dancers each week.

“We have six bands that we rotate,” she said, noting the K.R. Henry band performed this last Friday night.

The dances, which draw an average of 85 seniors, “gets older people out of the house, gives them exercise and benefits the center financially,” Jackson said.

Dancers pay a small fee per person to dance, and anyone 55 years old and older is welcome, she said.

“They’re out with people who are the same age and not everyone dances,” she said. “Some just listen to the music and visit with the others.”

The dances aren’t only for Woodward seniors.

“They come from all over,” Jackson said. “One lady comes from Buffalo.”

“This young man’s from Seiling,” she said as she took his fee at the door. “We have some from Elk City and from as far away as as the edge of Kansas.”

“This is one of the best senior dances in this area,” she said. “In fact, this is about the only one left in this area,” she said.

As the people socialize, everyone dances with everybody, she said.

“There aren’t set couples,” she said. “It’s a wonderful way to make friends and we usually have a mixer dance where everybody changes partners. It’s a lot of fun. Everybody has a good time.”

The dances begin at 7:30 p.m. and conclude at 10:30 p.m. with a 30-minute break for snacks about 9 p.m., Jackson said.

Diane Rabe, a senior from Fargo was at the last Friday night dance.

“I come every weekend,” she said. “Once in a while I meet some one new. I enjoy myself and I get out of the house.”

“I just like to watch the people,” said Deonna Jones of Woodward. “I like to watch them dance. I do my fair share, but I like to watch. They’re awsome dancers.”

Max and Norma Miller, who have been married 61 years, also attend the Friday night events.

“It’s enterntaining, enjoyable, and you get your exercise,” Max said.

“The entertainment is good,” said “Shorty” Spencer. “We mingle with the people.”